Scottish Knights Templar USA Priory of St. Jude

We are a world wide Order of Templars.

Positions on Other Templar Orders and Freemasons

Jacques De Molay

Born at Rahon, Jura, about 1244; d. at Paris, 18 March, 1314. A Templar at Beaune since 1265, Molai is mentioned as Grand Master of the Templars as early as 1298. He was, as he described himself at his trial, an unlettered soldier (miles illetteratus); profiting, however, by the collective experience of his order, he presided in 1306 or 1307 at the drawing up of a very important plan of crusade and went to Poitiers to lay it before Clement V, who had summoned him from the East. This crusading project, based upon personal knowledge of the Orient and the Italian cities, is considered by Renan superior to any other scheme of its kind formulated during that epoch. In it Molai shows his implicit confidence in the King of France, whose victim he was soon to become. At the same time Molai presented to the pope a memorial against the amalgamation of the Hospitallers and the Templars under discussion since the Council of Lyons and accepted in principle by Gregory X. On learning from Clement V the accusations brought against his order, Molai begged the pope to do justice and returned to Paris. On 13 October, 1307, he was arrested there, together with all the Templars of the central house of Paris, by the lawyer Nogaret. Nogaret's captious interrogatories necessarily disconcerted Molai, who, knowing neither law nor theology, was unable to defend himself.

On 24 October, 1307, on his first appearance before the inquisitor general of the kingdom, Molai pleaded guilty to some of the imputed crimes, notably the alleged obligation of the Templars on joining the order to deny Christ and to spit upon the crucifix; but he refused to admit the crimes against chastity. On 25 October, 1307, he repeated these same admissions and denials. It is supposed that his object in making these partial admissions was to save his comrades from the extreme penalty. In 1308 the pope appointed a commission of inquiry of eight cardinals; it was a new form of procedure, and torture was excluded from it. Molai caused to be surreptitiously circulated in some of the dungeons a wax tablet calling upon his brethren to retract their confessions, and in August, 1308, appeared before this commission. What then took place is a most obscure point of history. According to the record of his trial as it appears in the Bull of Clement V, "Faciens misericordiam", Molai would seem to have repeated his admissions of guilt, but, when the Bull was read to him on his appearance before another commission in November, 1309, he was stupefied, made the sign the Cross twice, and exclaimed: "Would to God that such scoundrels might receive the treatment they receive from the Saracens and Tartars!" From this Viollet concludes that the cardinals of the commission of 1308 attributed to Molai admissions, which he had not made. But did they intend to injure him? Quite the contrary, M. Viollet thinks: had they reported that Molai would not repeat the admissions made in 1307, Philip IV the Fair would have had a reason for sending him to the stake as "relapsed "; so, from motives of humanity, they perpetrated a falsehood to save him.

Before this commission of 1309 Molai displayed true courage. When they spoke to him of the sodomy of the Templars, and of their transgressions against religious law, he answered that he had never heard of anything of the kind, and asked permission to hear Mass. The trial dragged on. In March, 1313, he, with three other high dignitaries of the order, underwent a last interrogatory in Paris before a new commission of cardinals, prelates, and theologians, authorized to pronounce sentence. He was condemned to imprisonment for life, proudly denying the crimes with which the Temple had been charged. On hearing this sentence, Molay again retracted his confession, and as a final punishment Philip IV’s officers burned him as a relapsed heretic the same afternoon.

Source: The Catholic Encyclopedia

The Chinon document

Documents found in the Vatican archives, including a long-lost parchment, proved that the Pope had in fact maneuvered "with skill and determination" to ensure that his own emissaries questioned de Molay and other leading Templars in the dungeons of Chinon castle in the Loire in 1308, in what amounted to a papal trial.

Dr. Barbara Frale, the Vatican researcher who is writing a book based on the Chinon parchment, told the Italian monthly Hera, a journal of historical mysteries, that the result was the complete exoneration of the Knights.

Noting that de Molay and the Knights had asked his pardon, the Pope wrote:

"We hereby decree that they are absolved by the church and may again receive Christian sacraments."

Mr. Forgione, another researcher, said that the Pope had failed to make this absolution public because the scandal of the Templars had aroused extreme passions and he feared a church schism. Philip IV had de Molay and other Templar leaders put to death before the Pope's verdict could be published, and it was subsequently lost. During the Napoleon ransacking and conquering, Vatican officials believed most documents were destroyed.

Knight’s rank and obligation

In the SKT USA, Knighthood is a lifelong endeavor. Knight rankings are according to Knight performance under the SKT USA standards. Our Knighthood is not about “bragging”, or “fools in regalia”, or simply members who adore a brevet, a mantle or any regalia. Regalia are simply a representation of what Knighthood is and a Knight already knows. In the SKTUSA, there are rules for our members. First, freemasonry is not accepted as already discussed in a previous chapter.

We have a Christian obligation. Not all Freemasons are evil, demonic and such. Our main issue is in Freemasonry, there is a practice of the Gnostic or God, and each member can believe whatever higher being they practice. This is a 1st amendment right in the USA, and to be respected. However, for private Organizations such as our SKT USA, we are an ecumenical Christian organization. We have no right to practice Christianity in a mosque, and vice versa. This is a respect for all religions. Our second point comes from the Vatican. As we all know, the Templars originated from the Vatican in 1118.

Since our sad, horrible accusations of October 13, 1307, we have been unable to form formal relations or ties with the Catholic Church. In this day and age, every neo-Templar group has attempted to demand “apologies” from the Vatican, merely for the sake of their 15 minutes of fame if acknowledged, or responded to. This childlike immaturity has given Templar organizations worldwide the rolling eyes response, and deservedly so. Our order still seeks reconciliation and acceptance by the Vatican as innocent to the charges of heresy and others. We, as the last legitimate line of Templars, hope to one day achieve this. In 1995-96 this was an understanding given by the Vatican involving freemasonry in order to ever form reconciliation again.

Whether under the influence of papal pronouncements or under the Code of Canon Law, the Church's attitude toward Masonry has been consistent. After Freemasonry became known to the world at large in the early eighteenth century, the church took notice of it, and objected to it. Eight popes have issued pronouncements either explicitly condemning Freemasons or those activities and principles identified with Freemasonry.3 The pronouncements took the form of constitutions, encyclicals, apostolic epistles, and addresses. Constitutions were the old style position papers or statements of church law issued by popes. Encyclicals are letters from the pope circulated to the bishops stating the church's position on certain matters.

The papal pronouncements relating to Freemasonry are as follows:
Clement XII, In Eminenti, 28 April 1738
“This constitution was the first public written attack by the papacy against Masonry. In In Eminenti the principal objections to Freemasonry given were: that it was open to men of all religions; that there were oaths taken; that Masons denied clerical authority, and that Masons met in secret.4 Pope Clement forbade Masonic membership by Catholics and directed the "Inquisitors of Heretical Depravity" to take action against Catholics who became Masons or assisted Freemasonry in any way. He ordered excommunication as punishment for those who defied his ban.”

Benedict XIV, Providas, 18 May 1751
“This constitution confirmed In Eminenti and condemned Freemasonry on the grounds of its naturalism, demand for oaths, secrecy, religious indifferentism, possible threat to the church and state. It specifically forbids Roman Catholics from seeking membership in any Masonic group.”

Pius VII, EcclesiamA Jesu Christo, 13 September 1821
“The constitution Ecclesiam specifies excommunication for Freemasons and gives as reason for the censure the oath bound secrecy of the society and their conspiracies against the church and state. It also links Freemasonry with the Society of the Carbonari, known as the "Charcoal Burners", who at that time were active in Italy and were believed to be a revolutionary group.”

Leo XII, Quo Gravioria Mala, 13 March 1825
“This constitution restated the Roman Catholic Church's objection to Freemasonry as a secret society, with oath-bound secrecy, which conspires against church and state.”

Pius VIII, Traditi Humilitati, 24 May 1829
“This encyclical is considered by some Roman Catholic authorities to be an anti-Masonic polemic. It warned against a secret society whose "cunning purpose is to...lead the students along the path of Baal." It called for Catholics to "...eradicate those secret societies of factious men who, completely opposed to God and to princes, are wholly dedicated to bringing about the fall of the Church, the destruction of kingdoms, and disorder in the whole world." It also makes reference to the anti-Masonic pronouncements of previous popes.”

Gregory XVI, Mirari Vos, 15 August 1832
“This was an encyclical on liberalism and religious indifferentism. Religious indifferentism is defined as "... the fraud of the wicked who claim that it is possible to obtain the eternal salvation of the soul by the profession of any kind of religion, as long as morality is maintained." This encyclical does not mention Masonry, but religious indifferentism is one of the charges often leveled against Freemasonry in papal pronouncements.”

Christianity becomes a profit endeavor to some, and false Priests, Reverends or “false Byzantine” priests or Reverends occur. When backgrounds are checked here at KTUSA, our standards will be higher than ever. I will not, and I, USA Grand Prior, repeat will NOT tolerate members who have websites selling pagan certificates, certificates in priesthood, High priestess positions, fake PhD’s, claim Royal background without proof or anything of the sort. This does not adhere to my personal philosophies, nor what I feel is representative of the SKT. For my older Knights, they are aware of the cleansing I myself can attest to for members like this in the past. I would rather have five pure Templars in a war with 1,000 Mamluks rather than with 300 non-Christian cowards.

I also condemn any practices of false religions under this Order. If you are pagan, or into Wicca, witchcraft, freemasonry or any other non-Christian practices, I respect a person’s right to have their own point of view, but do not tolerate it here in our Non-Masonic ecumenical Christian Knights Templar Order. I personally know of SKT Grand Prior General of Scotland James McGrath’s history and battles on this, and I personally understand why.

The Vatican would never tolerate or approve of any reconciliation and recognition of the world’s last link to the original Knights Templar if we have any non-Christian practices. Other denominations would not form alliances with us either. Knights (male and female), I have a duty and so do you. We are here on this earth for a purpose, and like our Templar Order of Origin, and our cousins, the Hospitallers and Knights of Malta, our cousins the Teutonic Knights who modeled after us, there is much work to be done.

As Christians, we are all sinners. For those of you who are newer, fret not
if you are not perfect. None of us are. We are simply here to represent our Christian values, and to do good deeds. This is our obligation, no questions about it.

None of us are perfect. Our respective Christian denominations are the keys for our discipline, and respect for others. Please note that you are now and forever a Scottish Knight Templar or Companion-in-arms until full Knighthood via USA. In our future conventions and conclaves, we will all get to know each other more and more to discuss our good will and good intentions. When we are apart in each of our hometowns, keep the practice. Every day you are a Knight, not just when regalia are worn. Practice your duty. For the record, and this has been overlooked in the past. There are no Dames in our Order. All members are knights, male or female, and respected as so. A description for Dame is a servant, or even a maid. Females in our Order are equal with men.

As the Knight rank goes, here is a brief description:

Squire – Usually a younger man fewer than 21, a future Knight.

Companion-at-arms – An applicant under a probation period before becoming a Knight.

Knight – Actual Knighthood granted, and duty to SKT USA is expected. Dues must be in compliance, along with constant duties to his or her community, and at a higher level as a Templar.

Knight Commander – Usually one given a Commandery, minimum start with 9 other knights.

Knight Officer – Senior Knight, usually a board member.

Knight Grand Officer – High Senior Officer, usually a board member.

Knight Grand Cross – A rank given to a Knight who has knowledge, and achieved duties above and beyond the call. Usually a Prior.

Our SKT USA Order will also have an organized structure of its board members. Our SKT USA board is as follows:

- Oversees Priory, all decisions through Prior, and has right to veto a vote.
Grand Prior writes all statutes, bylaws and directives for SKT Order. Grand Prior shall appoint board members. Grand Prior sets agenda each year to arrange administration of the SKT with Executive board and General board. (See Executive and General board above)

Grand Chancellor

- Deputy Prior, #2 in charge, can be active Prior if Prior is away.
Grand Chancellor may also be called along with Grand Marshall for
purposes of opinions on future members, background checks, and
applications. Grand Chancellor will assist Grand Prior in Administrative
matters regarding SKT.

Grand Marshall

- Appointed by Grand Prior to control and organize meetings with Priory cabinet, and other events. Grand Marshall is #3 position of authority in Prior, and will assume Grand Chancellor status if Chancellor assumes temporary Grand Prior position. Grand Marshall shall coordinate meetings with Grand Prior, Grand Chancellor, and Grand Secretary. Grand Marshall may also be called along with Grand Chancellor for purposes of opinions on future members, background checks, and applications and other administrative matters.

Grand Treasurer

- Grand Treasurer is a position, which manages all money and revenue.
The treasurer reports to the Grand Priory all member's current in dues,
all funds received through fundraising or donations, and expenses authorized only by the Grand Prior. Treasurer has the duty to deposit funds, account with a bi-monthly statement if requested by the Grand Prior, and a monthly statement of all activities whether requested or not from the Grand Prior. Treasurer must consult each expenditure with Grand Prior for written check permissions. Grand Treasurer also works with Grand Secretary/Researcher on financing accounts and records.

Grand Secretary/Researcher

Grand Secretary/Researcher records proceedings, attends all regular and special meetings of the Order, along with the Treasurer can receive monies paid into the Order taking his receipt, establish an accounting system with the Treasurer, which will account for, in detail, all the monies received by, or paid out by the Order. Grand Secretary/Researcher will assist the Grand Prior preparing an agenda for online meetings or conclaves, prepare a personal file for each member and their ranks, records, applications, dues, and conduct. N Dues will be monitored both current, and past due. Grand Secretary/Researcher is also in charge of all grant writing for SKT.

Grand Secretary will advise Almoner and Historian and work together for projects on:

Fundraising

Research on Templar history

Future functions

Grand Chaplain General

- A member of the clergy who conducts religious services for the SKT.
The Chaplain General may advise or offer Christian spiritual advice to
Knights, or simple moral support in times of need.

The Chaplain General is also charged with respect to all Christian
denominations, sensitive and supportive to people during illness, grief and
bereavement. Chaplain General will also advise Grand Prior in future meetings/appointments/ as clergy in all matters. Chaplain General shall also advise and coordinate with Grand Prior subject of Spiritual Patriarch for SKT.

Grand Almoner

- Grand Almoner is the charities officer, the Knight in charge of the Charity
work, correspondence, external arranging publicity, and in concert with
Grand Prior, organizes events or needy causes for the poor, the sick, the
old, the helpless, or other Christian needy causes. Almoner will also aid
Grand Secretary/Researcher in areas of grants and fundraising.

Grand Historian/Chronicler

- Chronicles events of SKT, and history of Knights Templar
with Grand Prior and Grand Secretary. Historian is usually
in the same town as Grand Prior due to sensitive documents
staying in local area.

Grand Sword Bearer

- In future ceremonies and events, the Sword Bearer will carry the Sword
for all procedures involved in Ceremony.

Grand Banner Bearer

- The Banner Bearer is the Acolyte responsible for carrying the Banner in
the procession.

Executive Director (Alternative appointee)

The Board of Directors may, upon resolution, appoint an Executive Director to serve at the board's discretion and to carry out whatever tasks the board from time to time resolves. The Executive Director shall be paid an annual salary set by the Board of Directors. Subject to such supervisory powers as are vested in the Board of Directors, the Executive Director shall supervise, direct, and control the business of the Corporation and actively manage its business, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by the bylaws.

The Executive Director may engage in negotiations involving commitments of the resources of the Corporation or the acceptance of money or resources by the Corporation in furtherance of the purposes of the Corporation as set out in the Articles of Incorporation and these bylaws. The Executive Director shall generally be expected to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the general membership.

Keep this document and email attachment in the form of email or print for future reference. Much of the information here is also available on our website at www.templarusa.org

As a member of the SKT USA, it is mandatory to register on the website for all future online meetings. Online meetings are mandatory as well. Inactivity, or missing online meetings can cause suspension or termination of Knighthood. If any suspension or termination happens, all documents are to be returned immediately, and brevet is to be destroyed or returned. If members have not practiced their Templarism, are not practicing Christians or conduct any type of disruption with the SKT, membership is revoked and member is immediately expelled. Online meetings in the future will be a discussion after a set agenda and roll call.
New members receive:

Templar cross

Templar pin

Templar manual

Brevet for recognition

Our Non profit Corporation has administration run on a volunteer status, and we attempt to use our funds for our causes, not for administration. If our own Knights are ever in need, I as Prior am first in line to aid you, and all members will be accounted for. A Knight Templar is expected to ensure their duties are fulfilled as a Knight in their respected region. In the future more regions, Commanderies and Preceptories will be nominated, and assigned to knights.

Knight responsibilities start in your own area. SKT USA is for a duty in our areas, and in the USA together as a whole.

Welcome to the Scottish Knights Templar USA chapter. I pray we all attain our goals for the USA, and move forward to our cause!